If you are the owner of a small business, you are always marketing, every time you leave your house.You need to determine if there are opportunities to get new customers or clients that YOU ARE MISSING.
Let me explain.
I have seen successful client interactions at odd places like grocery stores and kids' soccer games.
I have also seen small business owners totally ignore opportunities to pick up new clients because they aren't prepared or they are in a bad mood.
My 80 year old mother doesn't go out in public much any more, but when she does, she always wears bright red lipstick, and she smiles a lot. She says hello to total strangers as though they are old friends. Guess what? 98% of the time, she gets a positive response. I have heard this phrase countless times from friends, neighbors, and even just casual aquaintances: "I just LOVE your Mother!"
She could've run for governor and won. She is always smiling and friendly, no matter what else is going on. She is that way when her arthritis bothers her. She didn't lose her friendliness even when she was widowed. She was that way when her only son was serving in the Army in Iraq. She is kind to all, even when she is blue. She just radiates benevolence and approachability.
Do you? If not, you should work on it.
These are a few items to consider, if you are really interested in marketing yourself:
- When you are away from home, do you always have business cards?
- When you are waiting for a train, or in line at the bank, or at the car wash, do you realize that smiling and chatting are a great way to get to know someone and possibly get a new client?
- Do you have a good "resting face"? That's how you appear when you are not talking to someone. If you don't appear calm and friendly, you need to work on that.
If you own a small business or you are a sole practitioner attorney, you are selling yourself, and your personality, as much as your goods or services.
Give it some thought.
my mom, Miss Elva, 80 years young